Torso of Nefertiti, Aten cartouches
, New Kingdom, Amarna Period, Dynasty 18, reign of Akhenaten, ca. 1352–1336 B.C
Egyptian; from el-Amarna (Akhetaten), inc. el-Hagg Qandil, Great Aten Temple
Indurated limestone
H. 11 in. (28 cm), W. 11 5/8 in. (29.5 cm), D. 8 7/16 in. (21.5 cm), cartouche W. 11/16 in. (1.8 cm)
Gift of Edward S. Harkness, 1921 (21.9.4)
This torso of Nefertiti was found in the Sanctuary of the Great Aten Temple or in the dump south of the Sanctuary. It was part of a dyad of the king and queen standing together and holding in front of them a wide stela with names of the Aten. The queen's left arm was bent and she held her hand against the side of the stela.
Nefertiti wears a revealing smooth garment leaving one shoulder bare. Over that she has a pleated shawl whose short loop edge can be seen crossing between her breasts to the point where the shawl tied beneath the right breast.
